While in DC, Hales joined the Democratic mayors of two other
mid-sized American cities on Al Jazeera America to give a status report on his
city and talk about the rejuvenation of urban areas in general.

Why are we just getting around to this now?

Video from Hales' appearance on Inside Story with Ray Suarez isn't
available online, but we tracked down the producers and watched the 30-minute
news show.

Here's a breakdown of Hales' main talking points from his appearance
on Al Jazeera America's Inside Story:

Hales on Portland's recovery

Hales said Portland felt the economy downturn "like most
cities did" but added that Portland has recovered "economically to where we
were." He said Portland's "quality of place" gives the city a competitive edge
in attracting young people, citing the transit system and bike network. Portland,
he said, is experiencing a "pretty significant immigration of talent and youth, and that bodes well" for Portland's future.

On the Urban Growth Boundary

Hales touted Oregon's urban growth boundary requirements as
helping Oregon and Portland in particular. He said driving outside the UGB you
hit "real farmland, it's not just waiting for the next subdivision."

On Portland's Economy

"We're an exporter of food and wine and beer, and we can
count on that," for the future, Hales told Suarez. He said those industries
attract young, professional urban dwellers. "They want to live that way,"
Hales said, citing many who want to live without an automobile. "It fits with the fundamental bedrock values that they have," Hales
said of Portland's urban amenities, adding it's not just because the city has a
"cool" factor and national brand.

On whether cities can build big things without federal cash rolling in

"I think not," Hales said. The conversation centered on
whether the federal government is withdrawing its support. Hales said some cities believe the federal
government is "devolving into a health care company with an army. I don't think
it's quite that bad." Hales believes the federal government is moving to being more of a
limited partner with cities. But, he touted the Oregon State Legislature for "stepping
up" and giving $1 billion to public education. "We couldn't do that on our own."

On streetcars

Mass transit projects ae still in the
wheelhouse for obtaining federal funds, according to Hales. He said cities are
still getting a 50 percent federal match on some projects, which can help build
streetcar lines. "There are streetcar projects under construction all over the country:
Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, Tucson, Portland, where the federal government
stepped up with a modest amount of money," Hales said. The mayor, who worked in the private
industry to help spread the streetcar gospel, said the Obama Administration has
been "tactical and smart" in finding targeted ways to support city projects. "I
think the new normal is for all of us that we will have to be more creative and
more independent."

On granola bars and immigration

Hales said he thinks increased
immigration to Portland is a good thing. "It's really enriching Portland in
terms of our culture and our economic life," he said. Hales went on to tell a story
about a tour of Bridgetown Natural Foods in November.

Here's the vignette: "I was just recently at a local business, a company
that makes granola bars. How Portland could that be? They're growing fast,
they're hiring from the neighborhood, and the biggest challenge on the factory
floor for them is communication, because they have so many different languages
spoken among their workers. It's a great problem to have; they're working on
finding lead workers who can also be translators. That's a strange and
wonderful new territory for us at Portland," Hales said.

Hales said he support immigration policies that create that kind of "uplift and
that kind of opportunity for people to come to America."